Cypress Bay RB Danny Epstein headed to Colgate

Academic excellence and the chance to play early for a running football team sealed the deal for Danny Epstein.

The Cypress Bay senior running back verbally committed to Colgate, out of the Patriot League, on Sunday after visiting the Hamilton, N.Y., university.

"It feels great," said Epstein, a Sun Sentinel large schools (Class 4A-6A) first-team All-County selection. "Just a great academic school. Graduating from there will be a great thing.

"[On the field], they average running the ball 45 times a game, maybe even more than that."

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Epstein helped lead a young Lightning squad to its first regional championship berth, rushing for 1,267 yards on 205 carries. He picked Colgate over Central Michigan, Eastern Illinois and FIU.

Epstein's host on his visit to Colgate was junior running back Nate Eachus. Eachus earned All-America honors after rushing for 1,871 yards and 21 touchdowns on 317 carries. He also caught 17 passes for 160 yards and a TD.

Epstein said the plan is to learn playing behind Eachus in 2011 and then he will get his shot.

He said he plans to run track this spring at Cypress Bay and then will start early at Colgate this summer by taking classes and going through workouts.

Verbal commitments are nonbinding. National Signing Day is Feb. 2.

Follow South Florida's top football prospects on the recruiting trail at SunSentinel.com/recruiting

Patrick Lammer can be reached at plammer@sunsentinel.com, via Twitter at PLamRecruiting and by phone or text at 954-661-9671.